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Rogers, 33, said three attackers painted homophobic slurs on the walls of her home and carved them into her skin.

The incident from early Sunday is drawing national attention and leading to vigils like one on Thursday in Omaha.

With some people questioning whether the attack was staged, Rogers is going public, saying the doubters are making her a victim all over again.

In an exclusive interview with KETV NewsWatch 7's Melissa Fry, Rogers talked about her pain and frustration over those who think she made it up.

"My world has been changed forever," Rogers said.

Rogers said she was used to send a message of hate and now, to create a story.

"For people to think this doesn't happen here, it does. It did," Rogers said.

Rogers, a former standout basketball player at the University of Nebraska, avid volunteer and small business owner, said she doesn't want to be the face of a hate crime.

"I start to feel like a pawn in a game," Rogers said. "This isn't my game."

Rogers didn't talk about what happened in her home on Sunday because she doesn't want to jeopardize the investigation. But she told officers that three men wearing masks barged in, carved hateful messages on her body, spray-painted her walls and then tried to set her house on fire.

"There is fear, but there is resilience. There is forward," Rogers said. "I can't adequately express how much it has meant to me that people are standing with me and people are standing for me."

Meanwhile, hundreds turned out at vigil Thursday night in support of Rogers.

"We want her to know she's not alone, we won't stand for hate crimes," said Erin Anderson, one of the vigil organizers.

"It's scary, so the more we have each other, the less frightening it will be and the more progress we can make," said supporter Wes Staley.

Crowds packed into Memorial Park, waving signs, carrying flags and holding candles. Many said they have a message of love and support, much stronger than hate and violence.

"It's about love. You can't make us scared or run away," said supporter Angie Bouwens.

"We must welcome and embrace all people ... we must have tolerance, we must have respect, we must have acceptance," Mayor Jim Suttle said.

Others said they come together to pursue a vision of a city full of those things.

"I just want to make a difference in this world," said supporter Molly Delich. "One person can make a difference, one person. Start small, think big."